Author: Emil Lazarian

IRAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE ARMENIAN DIPLOMAS
Pan Armenian News
15.06.2005 04:06
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian met in
Yerevan with Iranian Minister of Education Morteza Haji. Andranik
Margarian condoled with the families of those killed and wounded in
explosions in Tehran and Khuzestan and expressed assurance that it will
not tell on the presidential election on June 17. Noting the importance
of multilateral and regional cooperation with Iran Andranik Margarian
said that mutual visits at different levels as well as efficient
work of the Iranian-Armenian intergovernmental commission contribute
to it. The parties also noted the increase of the commodity turnover
between Armenia and Iran. The RA Premier expressed assurance that the
visit will become a stimulus in the development of cooperation and
further cooperation in the educational and scientific fields. They
also highlighted the signing of memorandum on mutual understanding
~SOn mutual acknowledgement of diplomas and certificates of Armenia
and Iran as well as the opening of scientific centers in Yerevan and
Tehran, what will contribute to the establishment of ties between
the institutes of higher education of both states.

“NATIONAL REFERENDUM” CONTINUES
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
13 June 05
Naira Melkumian believes that by supporting Artsakh Armenian people
once again say “YES” to the independence of Artsakh. For any
country a strong economy is the precondition for country’s
development. Nagorno Karabakh Republic, which is still very young, is
considered to be an area of risk for investments and business.
However, all the conditions are there, owing to which the country
will have a strong economy in the future. The all-Armenian foundation
“Hayastan” has a considerable contribution to the
rehabilitation and development of the economy of Artsakh. In the
recent years the foundation has been focusing on Artsakh mainly. The
construction of the highway “North – South” referred to as
the spine of Artsakh will be soon completed on the means of this
organization which unites the Armenians spread all over the world.
Next the Programme of Revival of Artsakh will be launched. Our talk
with the executive director of the all-Armenian foundation
“Hayastan” Naira Melkumian was about the Programme of Revival
of Artsakh and her vision of the future plans of the foundation.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN: “Mrs. Melkumian, would you comment on the
name of the programme “Revival of Artsakh”?” NAIRA
MELKUMIAN: “First of all, the idea of the programme belongs to
the NKR president. And the board of trustees, which is, in one way,
the entire Armenian nation, also wishes to see Artsakh reconstructed.
Therefore, the programme we are implementing was named “Revival
of Artsakh”. And in order for Artsakh to revive, first of all the
development of the regions which have more economic potential should
be spurred. Last year NKR President Arkady Ghukassian set forth the
issue of developing the regions separately. The region of Martakert
was considered first. The strategic plan consists of three stages
and, besides Martakert, involves the regions of Hadrut and Martuni as
well. Thus, in the near future the regions of Martuni, Hadrut and
Martakert will be revived.” C.M.: “By which principle were
you guided in making a choice? Why did you decide to start with
Martakert?” N.M.: “This region is one of those which suffered
more during the war and there is urgent need for reconstruction of
infrastructures, educational, health and other institutions, houses.
Besides, it was taken into consideration that Martakert possesses
more economic opportunities, the development of which may change the
economic situation in Artsakh. Considering the natural resources,
including minerals, as well as the agricultural potential, we think
that Martakert has all the opportunities to become the leading region
of Artsakh. Besides, by this programme we also envisage solving the
problem of unemployment. The region of Martakert can employ much more
people in their own country preventing them from leaving the country
to work abroad.” C.M.: “What particular steps will be taken
in this direction?” N.M.: “This is, indeed, a complex
programme. It is going to be a so-called regional development
programme, that is to say, we will take into consideration the
interrelated problems of Martakert. We are not going to solve
separate problems, but together with the NKR government we will
decide on which villages the focus of the programme will be. In the
framework of the programme we will reconstruct schools, medical
stations, water pipelines. At the same time there will be special
focus on the development of agriculture, considering the fact that
today agriculture is business. The implementation of the programme is
necessary to prevent emigration. We will take into consideration
human resources in Karabakh. The ability of the people of Karabakh to
work as a team will be put at the heart of the programme. Our goal is
not only prevention of emigration but also promotion of
re-settlement. For this reason we have to provide opportunities for
the people of Artsakh to feel full citizens and to be able to run
agriculture as a form of business.” C.M.: “Which is the
political role of the programme?” N.M.: “I believe that the
new programme will support the consciousness of the independent
state. A country and people are truly independent if they can solve
their political issues independently. At present the political issue
of Karabakh is settled on the economic plane, and the development of
Artsakh makes the political reality that today we have as Nagorno
Karabakh Republic irreversible. I am sure that the economic revival
of Artsakh will enable putting forward the issue of international
recognition of Artsakh as an independent republic.” C.M.:
“How long will the economic revival of Artsakh take?” N.M.:
“Within a year we will find the necessary financial resources,
after which the implementation of the programme proper will begin. If
we manage to raise the necessary sum within a year, the programme
will be completed in three years. We do not have time to spend 5-6
years on every project and we must always keep this in our minds. All
these programmes should be a call for alertness for all of us. I hope
that like in the previous year, this year too, the people of Armenia
will take part actively in the telethon. This is extremely important.
I think, in a way this is a referendum and people answer the question
“Do we need Artsakh, or not?” And if Armenia donates 1
million dollars, it means that the Armenian people in this way vote
for the settlement of the issue.” C.M.: “What innovations
will there be in Telethon 2005, which may promote donations?”
N.M.: “Actually, it is early to speak about innovations because,
as you already know, the telethon will be held in November. At the
moment I only can say that in this telethon we will replace the
phrase “national tribute” by “national donation”. We
withdraw the principle of duty and introduce the idea of donation
because a person cannot be obliged to make a donation but he should
do it with an inner urge. Although I want to mention that so far no
one has made their donation under obligation. It was a gift, a
donation to their people and country.” C.M.: “The previous
telethons showed that the Armenians living in Russia were passive in
making donations. What will be done this year to involve them in this
action?” N.M.: “Certain representatives of the Armenian
community of Russia play an active role indeed. They made and
continue making a significant contribution to the economic
development of Artsakh. It is another question that we do not have a
local body there yet. This problem is being solved currently. There
are many businessmen in Russia who come from Karabakh, and I hope
that the foundation will become a link through which they will
support the development programme of Martakert. In the long run, I am
sure, that the idea of supporting this invaluable programme will
unite the Armenians all over the world.”
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
13-06-2005
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TABLE-Ukraine sunoil exports up in April
KIEV, June 13 (Reuters) – Ukraine, among the world’s leading sunflower
oil exporters, increased its sunoil exports to 62,000 tonnes in April
from 60,500 in March, analysts said on Monday. ProAgro agriculture
consultancy said Ukraine exported sunoil mostly to Britain, Spain,
Switzerland, Russia, Italy and France.
Ukraine exported 411,600 tonnes of sunoil in October-April 2004/05
compared with 612,700 in the same period in 2003/04. Analysts have
said the country’s sunoil exports are likely to total 700,000 tonnes
this season, down from 971,900 in
2003/04.
UKRAINE SUNOIL/SUNSEED EXPORTS IN APRIL ’05 (FINAL DATA)
SUNOIL
COUNTRY VOLUME PRICE
(tonnes) ($/T)
TOTAL 62,000 670.31
UK 12,100 585.09
Spain 9,000 632.38
Switzerland 8,800 618.14
Russia 8,700 906.93
Italy 7,900 618.23
France 7,600 628.98
Belarus 2,700 746.25
Hungary 1,100 650.12
Greece 1,000 624.15
Turkey 1,000 653.01
Other 2,100 855.79
SUNSEED
TOTAL 4,500 320.64
Hungary 3,600 256.43
Poland 300 358.43
Lithuania 100 308.18
Germany 100 450.84
Georgia 100 353.97
Estonia 100 569.50
Other 100 1,672.47
SUNFLOWER MEAL
TOTAL 86,600 99.74
Belarus 23,000 103.45
Israel 11,400 97.28
Poland 10,200 103.43
Morocco 9,900 81.00
Latvia 9,000 103.39
Turkey 6,700 89.23
Lithuania 3,900 76.57
Netherlands 3,500 145.61
Denmark 2,800 117.58
Greece 2,200 93.34
Azerbaijan 1,100 95.00
Switzerland 1,000 99.80
Armenia 800 102.57
Estonia 400 87.31
Other 900 n/a
06/13/05 11:21 ET
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia among most active in CSTO
ITAR-TASS News Agency
June 14, 2005 Tuesday
MOSCOW, June 14 — Nikolai Bordyuzha, the secretary-general of
the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), who arrived in
Yerevan on Tuesday, will inform the Armenian leaders about the state
of affairs in the Organization, Tass learned from the CSTO secretariat.
Armenian President Robert Kocharian will receive Nikolai Bordyuzha.
The CSTO secretary-general will hold talks with Serzh Sarkisian,
the Armenian defence minister and secretary of the Security Council
at the Armenian president,
The sides will discuss questions being referred to the session of
the Collective Security Council, the supreme body of the CSTO, to be
held in the second half of June, and to the meetings of the Foreign
Ministers Council, the Defence Ministers Council and the Security
Councils Secretaries Committee.
Bordyuzha said the other day that “Armenia is one of the most active
participants in the OSCE”, and that the Transcaucasian (Russo-Armenian)
coalition group of forces is “a sizable part of the Organization’s
forces.” Bordyuzha will be on the visit in Armenia for three days.
Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan are
participants in the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
June 14, 2005, Tuesday
09:23:53 Central European Time
Hungarian parliament alters minority law after abuses
Budapest
The Hungarian parliament voted Monday evening by an overwhelming
majority to change the existing law governing minorities to make
abuses more difficult, Hungarian radio reported Tuesday.
According to the new law, only those entitled to vote and who had
previously registered in their local community as a member of a
particular minority could vote, in elections for self-administered
ethnic districts.
Hungary has 13 autonomous ethic groups, the largest of which is the
Roma, with an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 members.
Previously any Hungarian citizen could vote in minority district
elections which led to abuses such as anti-Roma Hungarians voting in
Roma districts to prevent true representation of the Roma.
Other abuses have included failed politicians posing as members of
“exotic” minorities such as the Armenians to gain election.

BEFORE TAKING UP THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT
A1plus
| 18:20:31 | 13-06-2005 | Official |
Sir Brian Fall (United Kingdom Representative to the South Caucasus)
and Simon Smith (Head of Eastern Department in the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office in London) will visit Yerevan from 12-14 June. The
visit is the first part of a preparatory tour of countries in the
South Caucasus before the United Kingdom assumes the Presidency of
the European Union on 1 July. It will include calls on President
Robert Kocharian, Defence Minister Serge Sarkissyan, Trade Minister
Karen Chshmaritian and Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanyan,
as well as members of the opposition and NGOs working in the fields
of democracy and governance.
The objective is to have an exchange of views on issues which will
be discussed between Armenia and the European Union during the course
of the British Presidency. These are likely to include in particular
efforts to reach a lasting solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and developments following the extension of the European Neighbourhood
Policy to Armenia.
Sir Brian Fall was previously the United Kingdom Special Representative
to Georgia. His remit was extended in 2002 to cover the South
Caucasus. His appointment underlines the commitment of the British
Government to play an active part in the efforts of the international
community to prevent or resolve conflict, and to establish a stable
basis for peace and prosperity in each of the three countries and in
the region as a whole.
Simon Smith was appointed Head of Eastern Department in the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office in 2004.

GROWTH ON THE BACKGROUND OF JOB REDUCTIONS
A1plus
| 20:33:47 | 13-06-2005 | Regions |
During the first three months of the year 2005 in the Shirak region a
growth of the volumes of the industrial goods has been recorded. By the
acting 67 companies goods of about 3 billion drams have been exported,
and those of 2 billion 962 million drams have been sold. The growth of
production and selling volumes has been recorded in the electric power,
water, and gas fields. Despite the fact that almost no contraction
work has been done this year, the mining indices have not been reduced.
In contrast to industry, reduction has been recorded in the light
industry field. The textile plant which had been working lately ceased
to work because of the absence of the raw material. The jobs have
been reduced for 7%. According to the TV Company «Tsayg», Hovsep
Simonyan, head of the financial and social administration of the
Shirak regional government, explains the reduction by the unfavorable
weather conditions in winter months.
–Boundary_(ID_bcfgqhVmkKKfXpIW0iuB4w)–

OSKANIAN CALLS ON USA TO PUT PRESSURE ON TURKEY
AZG Armenian Daily #108, 14/06/2005
Armenia-Turkey
Foreign minister of Armenia called on the United States to get more
actively involved in establishing natural relations between Armenia
and Turkey and especially to exert pressure on Turkey to open its
border with Armenia, Associated Press quoted Vartan Oskanian after
his meeting with Condoleezza Rice last week.
Foreign minister Oskanian said that the US should urge Turkey “to
become a bridge not only between the East and the West but also
between different parts of Europe”. “Armenia and Turkey are not in
state of war. We have no problem with that country. We have historic
differences. Germany and France also have historic differences about
which they talk but they do not close borders”, Oskanian stated
in Washington.
Oskanian emphasized that the international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide still tops Armenia’s foreign agenda. “Argentine, Canada,
France, Poland and Russia are among the states recognizing the Genocide
but the Bush administration keeps on treating it suspiciously”,
Oskanian said.

AZG Armenian Daily #108, 14/06/2005
Region
ARMENIA HAS NO RESOURCE OTHER THAN DEMOCRACY
USA Demands Just Elections From Baku
Inner political situation in Azerbaijan is still in the limelight
of the US. The State Department expressed satisfaction that the
opposition’s rally on June 4 passed peacefully.
The American political analysts claim that the Azerbaijani
parliamentary election in fall may turn into a trial for President
Ilham Aliyev once they do not match with international standards. The
Bush administration overlooked rigged presidential elections of 2003
with accompanying violence and arrests. But the US has changed recently
stating now that they are enchanted by democratic revolutions in the
CIS and the Middle East.
Today, Washington demands fair elections from Baku, as it is Azerbaijan
among the non-democratic states that will hold elections. As soon
as Armenia faces elections, America will come down on Yerevan for
fairness.
The possible overthrow of Ilham Aliyev will be a blow on Kocharian
first of all, as the Armenian President will remain the only president
elected through rigged elections. Therefore, the possible regime
change in Azerbaijan should not be desirable for Yerevan. The Armenian
authorities and the Republican Party should stay away from rigging
elections at self-governing bodies, otherwise the revolutionary wave
will wash them away.
The republicans have won in elections of prefectures early this
month. In effect, the parliamentary and presidential elections
of 2007 and 2008 are being rigged today through the lections of
self-governing authorities. Today’s elected prefectures, mayors and
village administrators, overwhelmingly republicans, will “pay back”
to the authorities in parliamentary and presidential elections.
If in neighboring Azerbaijan it is the Caspian oil that fills in
the gap of democracy, then Armenia has no resource and has to be
democratic. Certainly the West will have patience to connive at
Armenian authorities that have been rigging elections since 1995. But
one needs to pay for that too. And as Armenia has nothing to offer,
it will have to make serious concessions in Nagorno Karabakh issue,
especially if someone like Saakashvili takes the reins in Azerbaijan.
The West, by the highest standards, is not interested that Saakashvili
is less democratic than Shevardnadze. If most of televisions during
Shevardnadze’s tenure were oppositional, then today all of them serve
Saakashvili. The key thing is that Saakashvili is devoted to attend
to the West’s interests. They can find such a devotee in Azerbaijan
as well. In that case Armenia will appear in an unenviable position —
firstly in Karabakh issue.
George Bush, Condoleezza Rice and other high-ranking US officials
constantly praise “peaceful revolutions” in CIS and Middle East. Though
they do not openly consider Armenia as “candidate” for a revolution,
the Armenian opposition is obviously excited. Our opposition, that
used to regard Kremlin as a politburo only a few years ago and panted
for Russia-Byelorussia alliance, is interested not in instilling
democracy in Armenia but in seize the power.
The West also is not that interested in democratic Armenia as once
it comes true it will lose its levers of pressure. We, the Armenian
citizens, are the ones who should be interested to see our country
truly democratic, as it is our rights that are violated.
By Tatoul Hakobian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Erdogan warns the New York Times
Hurriyetim
13.06.2005
During his US visit, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held
a meeting with the executive editors on the board of the New York
Times (NYT) over the rejection of reports prepared on the so-called
Armenian genocide. Erdogan met with the executive editors to ask them
why they had rejected the publication of a declaration prepared by 36
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) against the Armenian genocide
allegations and at the same time criticized the paper for its
“paradoxical and erroneous” justifications.
Apparently the editors couldn’t answer the Turkish PM’s questions
and responded by saying that they would reply at a later date.
While at the NYT Erdogan also commented on Syria emphasizing that
Turkey does not support repressive regimes and said, “If Damascus
continues to shelter terrorists, it will remain isolated in the world.”